What role did Datuk Azman play in securing government projects?

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Datuk Azman was described as the intermediary who helped secure a Jana Wibawa government project

Construction company Mamfor Sdn Bhd managing director Shahradzi Shamsuddin testified that Datuk Azman Yusoff played a key role in helping Sutracom Sdn Bhd obtain a RM605.2 million government project under the Jana Wibawa programme. In 2021, Shahradzi said Azman contacted him by telephone to ask for a donation to political party Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, stating that the payment would help Sutracom get the JKR-linked project. Shahradzi said Azman’s influence was tied to his access to KKR officers and his connections with the Works Minister at the time, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Azman’s request was linked to getting the JKR project approved
Shahradzi told the High Court that Azman asked him in April or May 2021 to advance funds to Bersatu because Azman said the project might succeed and would help Sutracom win the JKR project. He described the government work as being under the Jana Wibawa programme, with the project value at RM605.2 million. Shahradzi said he followed Azman’s requests and treated the donation as part of enabling the project to move forward.
The donation amount was not fixed by Azman, but Shahradzi estimated 3% to 4%
Shahradzi said Azman did not fix the value or percentage of the donation, and he estimated it could be around 3% to 4% of the contract value. He described this estimate as coming from “industry talk” among construction companies. Shahradzi said he made the RM19.5 million donation in two tranches via cheques, RM10.5 million before the project was awarded and RM9 million after the project was awarded in October 2022.
Azman was portrayed as having influence over KKR officers
Shahradzi testified that Azman knew and had influence over KKR officers, and he said Azman was frequently known to him through encounters at the Ministry of Works (KKR). He also said Azman was Malaysia’s Bumiputera contractors’ association president and was acquainted with the works minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Shahradzi said he believed Azman because of the ability to help obtain JKR approvals or allow the project to proceed, rather than because he thought Azman was connected to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Cross-examination clarified Azman did not name Muhyiddin as the donor requester
Under cross-examination, Shahradzi confirmed Azman never named Muhyiddin (the former prime minister) as the person asking for the donation, and Azman did not name Muhyiddin. Shahradzi also agreed that Bersatu and Muhyiddin had nothing to do with JKR, which is under the Works Minister. He further confirmed he did not know whether Bersatu or Muhyiddin asked for the donation, while still describing Azman’s role as the person who helped obtain the project.

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What role did Datuk Azman play in securing government projects?

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